Process and apparatus for producing rubber articles



May 26, 1942. T. F. HAssETT PROCESS AND APFARATUS FOR PRODUCING RUBBER ARTICLES Fileduune 12, 1940 4 sheets-*sheet 1 .IIIaIIIII May 26, 1942. T, F, HASSETT Y 2,284,520

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RUBBER ARTICLES Filed June l2, 1940 `4 Sheets-Sheet 2 il \\\\\\\\\\\\\l\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ May '26, 1942. T. F, HAssETT Y 2,284,520

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RUBBER ARTICLES Filed June 12, 1940 4 sheets-sheet s May 26, 1942. T. F. HAssE'TT PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RUBBER ARTICLES Filed June 12, 1940 4 Sheets-Shes?l 4 make.

Patented May ze, 1942 2,284,529

este

maaar princess Agamemnon Pneumonia @NNE ' RTHLES Thomas?, Hassett, Firiladelphia, Pa.

Appticaticn l2, lii, Serial No. 349,218

((DE. iti-m3) l (Gianna This application is a continuationminwpart of application Serial No. 290,319, filed August l5, 1939.

This invention relates to the manufacture of rubber articles, such as threads, strips, sheets and the like; and more particularly to the pro" duction of filaments of circular or other crossl stituent evaporates.

Another method of the prior art is disclosed in the Hopkinson and Gibbons U. S. Patent No. 1,545,257, wherein a liquid latex compound is forced under pressure from an extruding die nozzle into a bath of acetic acid, causing immediate coagulation of the solid constituents into a form corresponding to the contour of the discharge end of the nozzle, as the liquid compound emerges from the nozzle and enters the acid in which the discharge end of the nozzle is submerged.

Under another method disclosed in the U. S.

patents to Pestalozza, No. 1,717,248 and No.

` 2,084,702, a latex coagulant is introduced into the liquid latex and the nozzle is heated to a coag- .ulating temperature at and adjacent the discharge end of the nozzle, whereby coagulation 1 takes place inside the delivery end of the nozzle through which the filament, shaped cross-secu tionally to the intemal'contour of the nozzle, is extruded by` pressure applied to the liquid latex within the supply container to which the nozzle is connected. This, and various other procedures involving the use of so-called heat-sensitive latex compounds, are based upon the gelling effect of recognized coagulants for latex, when such coagulants are employed in limited quantity.

According to an improved method on which the Pestalozza invention is predicated, a second section of the nozzle, intermediate the supply reservoir and the coagulating zone adjacent the discharge mouth of the nozzle, is `heated to a temperature slightly lower than the coagulating temperature, to produce a pre-warming of the latex prior to its entering the coagulating zone,

to facilitate and accelerate coagulation, the latex being forced under pressure from the reservoir through the lower-temperance pre-warming zone of the nozzle into and through the higher-temperature coagulating zone, from which it is extruded through and out of the mouth of the nozzle.

Each of the methods noted above is subject to certain disadvantages. For example, the ancient method disclosed by Clouth requires a belt of great length, to provide a sufllcien't interval between extrusion of the filaments and complete volatilization of the liquid constituent to permit the solidified lament to be thereafter wound in a package.

The Hopkinson and Gibbons method requires the use of the acid fixing bath and subsequent washing baths to remove all traces of the acid.

Th Pestalozza method requires the use of a latex ooagulant, which causes thickening of the latex even at room temperatures. lozza method also requires the maintenance of two adjoining sections of the extruding nozzle at different temperatures respectively. ,v

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and emcient method for producing rubber laments and the like, which does not' require the use of acid baths nor other normally active latex coagulants to eil'ect coagulation, nor

long volatilization conveyers for carrying the formed filaments away from the mouths of the nozzles from which the laments are emitted, nor differential heating of `the transitionalforming elements.

'I'he improved method of manufacture of rubber articles according to the present invention resides in adding to latex a suitable quantity of a reagent which is entirely lacking in thickening or coagulative effect at ordinary or slightly elevated temperatures, but which causes rapid gelling and solidiilcation of the latex above a minimum temperature determined by the quantity of reagent employed, and, to some extent, by the character of the latex employed, and then heating the latex in a suitable former, tube, etc., to the coagulation temperature, whereby coagulation takes place and a rubber article of the desired shape is formed.

In particular, that class of organic compounds known as nitro-paraffin derivatives, has been found especially suitable for use in the present invention. Typical membersof this class of compounds are nitro-methane, nitro-ethane, 2ni tro-2-methyl-1: 3-propandiol, tri-,l (hydroxymethyl) nitro-methane and v1-nitro-propane.

The Pesta-V All of these reagents have a greater or less gelling or solidifying eifect on the latex above a minimum temperature, and some are especially efficient in causing gelation, for instance, nitrol ethane is outstanding as a gelling agent. 1t will be understood that in place of the nitro-paramn derivatives other reagents having the character=I istics hereinbefore described maybe employed.

These substituted paraffin derivatives may 'be used in latex (normal or concentrated) in amounts up to about 3%, depending on their respective solubilities. Nitro-ethane, for example, is soluble in latex up to approximately 3.2%. Some other derivatives are much less soluble. In any event, they do not thicken 'or iiocculate the latex at room temperature. When the latex is heated to a given temperature, which is gov erned and predetermined by the amountv'of re-a agent used, the latex quickly solidies in the approximate shape of itscontainer.

The following example will serve to illustrate the procedure employed and the effect obtained. A compound of the following composition is proposed:

Latex, 60% solids 167.0

Sulfur dispersion, 50% solids v 3.5 Zinc oxide dispersion, 50% solids 6.0 Accelerator dispersion, 50% Asolids 2.0 Nitro-ethane 2.0

tents of the tube Will gel or solidify completelyA in about three minutes. On a temperature of 50 C., gelling may require as long as six to seven minutes.

The same compound, since it retains its original liquid condition at room temperature, may

be readily passed through tubes of diameter as small as 0.01 inch, or less. l'f the tube is heated to 80-90 C., as by placing it in a hot water bath, the latex will gel almost instantaneously to form a filament; and if pressure is applied to the latex supply, the filament will be formed in a continuc-us length, `by being forced out of one end of the tube as fast as fresh latex is forced into the cpposite end thereof.

Ijn the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l illustrates, diagrammatically, in longitudinal sectional elevation, one form of apparatus capable of producing rubber filaments in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one portion of the transitional tube ill apparatus for producing rubber filaments etc. ac-

cording to the present invention and wherein the transitional tubes are arranged vertically instead of horizontally as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation on theline 6 0, Fig. 5;

taken gesetze As shown in Fig. 1, an apparatus capable of producing rubber thread, according to the principles of the present invention, includes a tube l of desired internal cross-sectional contour. The present invention is primarily, though not necessarily, directed to producing a continuous rubber filament'of circular cross-section having a diameter, for example, of .010 inch. The tube l is preferably composed of glass and the internal diameter of the bore 2 `would be slightly greater than the diameter of the lanient, for example, the bore would have a diameter of approximately .013 inch, for reasons hereinafter set forth.

Preferably, the tube l is disposed horizontally, with one end ia communicating With the interior of a reservoir 3 for a suitable body A of latex compound, composed, for example, of pure latex, 35% water, 2% of heat sensitizer, and 3% of vulcanizing agents, which latter comprise sulfur, zinc oxide and accelerator. The compound hereafter will be referred to simply as latex The liquid latex A i's maintained at a static head rc, within the reservoir 3, to cause the latex A to flow into the feed end ia of the tube l, and through the tube toward the discharge end lb which is submerged in a body of water E contained in an open pan, or if desired, in a suitable closed container d. A suitable inlet 5 isprovided for the Water entering the pan d. The inlet t, preferably, is located adjacent the discharge end lb of the tube i. .an overflow d, is provided, preferably at the opposite end ofthe tank d, to maintain the Water at a desired level above the tube l. The tube i is submerged in the water B throughout substantially the full length of thel tube, from the point l, where the tubeI passes through one end wall E of the tank i to the discharge end lb of said tube, situated inwardly :from and in horizontally spaced relation to the opposite end wall 9 of the tank f3. The tube l is vertically spaced from the bottom l0 and laterally spaced from the side walls il, il of the tank d, to insure the presence of the water B completely around the tube.

The body of water B in the tank t is maintainedat a temperature of approximately 87 C. The tube l is heated by the water B'to approximately the same temperature, throughout the full length of that portion thereof which lies within the tank d.- The water B maintains the tube l at a temperature of approximately 87 C. uniformly throughout its length lying in the water B.

At the above-noted temperature of the tube I,

Athe latex A owing into and through the tube l rapidly from its purely liquid state indicated at Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l-l, Fig. 5; and

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a detail of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

a1, Fig. 3, into a more or less slushy state indi--v cated at a2, as coagulation of the rubber particles suspended in the water is induced by the temperature of the tube i. From the slushy state,

the latex rapidly passes into a substantially solid state, indicated at a3, Fig. 4.

During the period of transition from the purely liquid state cz1 to the solid state a3, the solid constituent of the latex concentrates radially inwardtoward and around the longitudinal axis of the bore t of the tube i, as shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 3; and the liquid constituent is forced radially outward into a iilm c, around the outside of the solid concentrate a3 against the inner surface of the bore 2 of the tube t, in the form 0f a sleeve.

llhe nlm c isof a rather slimy character and due to its slippery characteristics functions as a stage a3 and emerges from the discharge end Ib of the transitional tube I, as a solid filament AI.

The film c moves out of. the transitional tube I with the solid filament AI into the hot water B in the container 4, is indicated at c1. Upon emerging from the discharge end Ib of the tube I into the hot water B in the tank 4, the lubricant c1 is washed off or dissolved from the exterior of the solid filament, to prevent what is commonly termed blooming.

The washed solid filament AI passes around a roller I2 located in the tank 4 in spaced relation to the discharge end I b of the transitional tube I. From the roll I2, the filament passes part way around a drum I3 located outside the tank 4, thence to and around a second drum I4, and from this latter drum I4 to a winding reel N.

The rolls I2, I3, I4 and the reel I5 are driven at the same or at different peripheral speeds, as desired, by any suitable mechanism not shown.

Preferably, the roll I2 is driven at a peripheral speed corresponding to the linear speed of move- -ment of the finished filament AI outwardly from the discharge end Ib of the transitional tube I, for example, at approximately 24 feet per minute for a filament of approximately .040 inch in diameter.

' rounding the filament and lying between the If it is desired to reduce the cross-sectional diameter or area of the filament below thatwhich it has as it leaves the discharge end of the Atube,

I,`withoutlchanging the cross-sectional contour,

the filament may be stretched longitudinally between the roll I2and the reel I5, by driving the rolls I3, I4 and reel I5 at progressively increasing speed ratios.

In operation, the head a: of liquid A in the con-"fltainer 3 continually maintains the feed end of the tube I filled to the full diameterfof the bore 2 with the squid latex. As the latex progresses.

through the tube, coagulation, due to the heating of the tube I, takes place as indicated ineFig. 3, i. e., the latex rchanges from its free-flowing liquid state 'into the slushy or creamy state in-v dicated at a. During this slushing or creaming state, the solid constituent of the liquid tends to concentrate inwardly and the liquid constituent tends to .pass outwardly and surround the solidifying latex with a sleeve of such liquid which 1 assumes a more or less slimy state.

In order to insure the feed end of the tube and that portion of the tube I between said feedend and the solidifying or coagulating being maintained constantly full of the liquid; and in order to prevent clogging of the tube, extraneous pressure is preferably applied to the liquid A within the upper portion 3a of the container 3, in the form of air or other gaseous uid supplied to the upper end 3a of the container 3 from any suitable source of pressure through the pipe I6 under control of any suitable automatic or manuallycontrolled pressure and flow-regulating means. In the present instance, amanually-controlled valve II is shown for controlling the passage of the pressure producing gas into the upper portion 3a oi the container3;

'I'he solid filament AI is continuously4 drawn away from the discharge end Ib of the transitional tube I by power applied to all, or any one, or any number, of the 'rolls I2, I3, I4 and reel I5. The drawing of the solid constituent away from the discharge end of the tube as the pressure in the container forces the latex into and through `liquid constituent of the latex A produces a filament of lesser cross-sectional dimension than the bore of the tube. Consequently, to produce a filament of predetermined size cross-sectionally, the cross-sectional dimensions of the tube must be greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the finished filament, to the extent of the thickness of the film of lubricating slime c surexterior thereof and the interior wall of the bore of the tube. The film c is of uniform thickness and completely surrounds the solidified filament AI; thus the filament AI assumes the same shape or contour as the bore of the tube.

As shown in Fig. 2, any desired number o transitional tubes I may be providedv in parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other in the tank 4, such plurality of tubes being suitably connected to a manifold I8 which is supplied withthe liquid A from the container or reservoir 3, the number of tubes depending entirely upon the capacity of the reservoir and the rate at which the solidifying filaments AI are withdrawn from, or discharged by, the end Ib of each tube I. The rolls I2, I3, I4 and reel I5 are of correspondlng length to accommodate the plurality of filaments AI in laterally spaced relation as they are discharged by the tubes I', Il respectively; pass around the rolls I2, I3 and I4;"and are wound on the reel I5. Y

lPreferably, the drums orrolls I3 and I4, one or the other, or both thereof, are heated to a temperature of approximately 200 F. This immediately evaporates the water clinging to the filament AI as it leaves the tank 4, andefurther effects vulcanization of the filaments prior to their winding on the reel I5. s

Ifthe rolls I2 and I3, for example, are run at a peripheral speed corresponding to thecoagulating speed of the latexA within the tube I and the roll I4 and reel I5 are run at a relatively higher peripheral speed to effect stretching of the filaments between the rolls I3 and I4, while the filament is in a partially cured state, the

come permanent under final vulcanization of the laments'by contact with the heated roll I4. L After leaving the roll I4, and before winding on the drum or reel I5, the filaments, if desired, maybe run through a suitable talc-applying device, to prevent clinging of the filaments one to another, or clinging of the layers on the reel I5. l

Any suitable means may be provided for maintaining the head z, or for replenishing the supply of `latex, in the reservoir 3, such for example las supplementary interchangeable reservoirs 23 ixiverted in a cup 24 connected to the reservoir 3 by a pipe 25 which is provided with a stop cock, or other flow control 26, the outlet 23a of the -removable reservoir 23 being located in the plane of the level o'f the head .'r. As the level a: drops and uncovers the end 23a. of the reservoir 23, said level will be automatically reestablished by flow from the reservoir 23.

If extraneous pressure is supplied through the pipe I6, the cock 26 may be operated toll the the three-way type, to admit the pressure and to exhaust the pressure to and from the interior of the reservoir 3 alternately.

Obviously, strips or sheets may be produced by changing the interior cross-sectional contour and dimensions 'of the tube I, and tubes may be produced by placing a stationary core within the tube in peripheral spaced relation to the interior wall of the tube.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7, 'the transitional tubes are of the same character as the tubes I of Figs. l to 4 inclusive, but instead of being arranged horizontally, as are the tubes I, the tubes |0| are arranged vertically in laterally spaced relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 5, with two'series Aof tubes respectively disposed at opposite sides of a vertical plane extending' longitudinally cf the machine, as shown in Fig. 6.

The upper receiving end IOIa in eachof theV tubes |0| is in communication with a supply of liquid latex A contained in an elevated reservoir |03, while the discharge end |0|b of each tube |0| is submerged in a body of hot water B contained in an open pan or trough |04.

` Each tube |0I is enclosed within and surrounded by a concentric sleeve or water jacket III, preferably a glass tube having an internal bore of greater diameter than the external diameter of the tube |0I, which preferably is also a glass tube, whereby a body of hot water B will at all times surround each of the transitional tubes |0| from the lower discharge end |0|b thereof substantially up to the receiving end |0|a of the tube.

As previously noted, in regard to the structure of Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, the water B in the trough |04 and in each of the water jackets III is maintained at `approximately 87- C.

The upper end of each Water jacket |I vterminates in a fitting |08 which is connected by a transverse pipe |01 to a water supply manifold |05. The troughs |04, |04 are each connected to a return Water manifold |06 by -a pipe |09.

The supply manifold is connected to a suitable water heater by which the aforesaid temperature of the water is maintained. The return manifold |06 is connected by a pipe |3| to the inlet side of a suitable water circulating pump |32, the outlet or discharge side of which is connected vby a pipe |33 to the heater |30. The circulating pump |32 is constantly operated by a suitable motor i3d through any suitable belt or gear transmission.

As shown in Fig. '1 each transitional tube Illl passes upwardly through its associated fitting |08 into and through a suitable packing gland |35 formed in a short nipple 536. In the present instance the packing gland |35 is illustrated as merely comprising a body of cement which in1 addition to preventing passage of hot water from the fitting '|08 upwardly around the tube |0| functions to support the upper end of the tube lili within its water jacket III in 'concentric spaced relation to the water Jacket.

The lower end of each tube 90| adjacent the lower end of the water jacket is centralized by a perforated disc |31 by which downward flow of the hot water through the water jacket is retarded. y

The short nipple |36 connects the upper end of the hot water fitting |08 with the lower end of a cold water fitting |38. Threaded int: the upper end of the cold water fitting |38 is a plug |39 through which the upper end of the tube |0| extends, a packing gland |40 being provided in the plug |39 to prevent escape of cold water upwardly from the fitting |30 around the tube |06. A second plug |4| which forms part of said .packing gland is threaded into the upper end of the plug |39 and is externally threaded above said plug to receive the internal threads of one 'side of an L fitting |42, the second side of which is connected by a pipe |43 to the manifold I I8 which distributes the liquid latex A from the reservoir |03 to the transitional tubes |0| through a pipe |25, under control of the valve |26, which connects the reservoir |03 with one end of the latex manifold I I8, as shown in Fig.5. As shown in Fig. 7 the receivingend |0|a of each transitional tube |0| extends above the upper surface |4|a of the plug I4Iand which is disposed at 'an elevation below that of the feed pipe |43, whereby a small sump |45 is provided around and below the upper end I0 la of the tube I 0| to receive and retain any small premature coagulations of the latex A to prevent such premature coagulation'from clogging the upper end IOIa of the tubeIOI. i

The cold water flttings |38, |38 are connected in series in the present instance, by pipes |46, the first of the fittings |38 being connected by a pipe |41, under control of a valve |48, with any available source of cold water while the last of the fittings |38 of the series is connected by a pipe |49 to any available waste water system.

Pressure in the upper end of the reservoir |03 above the body of .latex A therein is maintained in the present instance by a suitable air compresser |44 for the purpose of forcing the liquid latex through the feed pipe |25, the manifold H8, pipes |43, |43, and ttings |42, |42 intothe inlet ends |0Ia of the tubes |0|, through said tubes and out of the discharge ends |0|b thereo into the hot water B in the troughs |04.'

In each trough |04, adjacent the lower end |0|b of each tube 0 I, is a guide wheel I2 around which the formed filament Ai leaving the tube |0| is passed to a second guide wheel I3 located adjacent the upper end of the tube, or to a guide wheel Iii located above the trough |00.

In either case when longitudinal stretching and consequent reduction in cross-section of the formed filament or other element AI take place, suchstretching will be effected between the guide wheel H2 and the guide wheel H. However, if no longitudinal elongation and cross-sectional reduction isdesired the formed lament or other continuous element is preferably passed directly from the guide wheel i i2 to and around the guide wheel lit, as shown in broken line in Fig. 6. The guide wheels may be rotatably mounted on any suitable supports carried by the end frame of the machine.

From the guide wheel H0, the continuous element Ai passes to a'n individual reel GIS, through atalc box |50 and a guide eye |5| on a longitudinally reciprocable traverse bar |52 which is slidably mounted in guides |53 secured to the end frames d, i55 of the machine.

A traverse cam |56 working against a cam l follower carried by a lever |51 which is pivoted to the frame |55 and has operative connection with the traverse bar |52 moves said bar and the guides carried thereby in one direction across the faces of the reels ||5, ||5 to lay the talced elements A2, A2 in convolutions on said reels. A spring |58 rocks the lever and moves'the bar and guides in the opposite direction.

Each reel ||5 isr independently supported for separate rotation on a roller |58, against which the rims |58 of said reels rest, and a driving roller |5| which preferably is of an expansible` and contractible nature to drive the various reels at necessarily slightly varying speeds for taking care of any slightly varying discharge rates of the various tubes |5| independently.

It has been found that each tube |5| has' an individual normal rate ofdischarge which might vary slightly from the normal discharge rate of the `other tubes, due to slight variation within thesmall internal bores of the various tubes but once the normal discharge rate of any single `tube is established it seldom, if ever, varies therefrom during the active life of the tube. Consequently it is possible to denitely determine the exact necessary rate of speed of the reel ||5 associated with each tube.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a simple form of expanslble and contractible drive roll |5I, for effecting the necessary variations in speeds between the reels l|5 is disclosed.

Each drive roll |5| includes a woodenor metal core |52 adapted to be keyed, pinned or other.- wise secured to a common drive shaft |58 which is rotatably` mounted in the end frames |54 and |55.

Each core |52 is covered with a strip of friction material |55, such as cork etc. having a pointed end |55 and a recessed end |51 adapted, when the strip |55 is wrapped around the core |52, to fit one within the other to a greater or lesser degree and form a continuous peripheral surface |58 for contact with the filament A2 wound on the reel ||5.

'Ihe strip |55 is preferably held on the core |52 by a body of glue, cement `or other suitable adhesive |58 and by varying the thickness' of the body of adhesive uniformly around thecore |52, the effective diameter of the driving face |58 may be increased or diminished to give a peripheral speed of the driving face |58 which corresponds to the discharge rate of the tube |5| with which the particular drive roll |5| is associated; and. as the face |58 makes Idirect contact with the element A2 on the reel ||5 the 'element A2 may be wound on the reel at the rate at which it is discharged from the tube, it being noted that the length of the drive roll |5|V is slightly less than the width of the face of the reel intermediate the end flanges |58 thereof in order that the driving face |58 of the rollv |5| will at chain to a gear, pulley, or sprocket |15 on each of the two drive roll shafts |53 at the opposite sides respectively of the machine.

One or both of the shafts |58 may be provided with a sprocket or gears |19 connected to a similar wheel |80 on the hub of the traverse cam |55 to rotate the cam at a denite speed ratio with respect to the reels ||5, whereby the eyes |5| will be moved back and forth across the faces of the reels to lay the elements A2 in laterally abutting or laterally spaced convolutions, as deu "shed, on the reels.

The speed of take up of the reels ||5 has been described as being substantially the same as the rate of discharge of the tubes IDI. This is literally true when the solidified latex element A| discharged from each tube |0| is not to be stretched intermediate the discharge end |8|b of each tube and the reel |I5 associated therewith to increase its length and decrease its crosssectional area. Under these circumstances it may be advisable to run the element directly from the v guide wheel ||2 to andv around the guide wheel surrounds each tube throughout its length from its discharge end ||||b practically to its receiving all times be in direct contact with the outermost layer of the formed element A2 on the reel.

The drive shaft |58 may be rotated at the correct speed by any suitable means of transmission from the motor |84 which drives the water pump |32 orA from an independent source of power. In the present instance, a drive is diagrammatically illustrated to include a pulley or sprocket |1|, on the amature shaft of the motor |88, connected by a belt or chain |12 to a similar wheel |12 on the pump shaft.

As a matter of illustration, the pump shaft may also be provided with a gear, pulley, or sprocket |14 connected by a train of gears, belts orsprocket lil for passage through the talc box on its way to the reel. It will be understood that when a longitudinal elongation and consequent crosssectional reduction is to be made in the continuous element discharging from the lower ends ||)|b of the tubes |0|, the take up speeds of` the reels ||5 respectively associated with the tubes will be increased accordingly, thus, in either case', the speeds of the reels will be consistent with the rate of discharge of the tubes.

From the above it will be clear that liquid latex A, passed into the upper ends Ilia of the transitional tubes |0| and down through the tubes to and out of the discharge ends |5|b thereof will change from its liquid form A to a solidified form AI, within and while passing through the tubes, dueto the temperature of the tubes as maintained by the body of hot water B which end Illa.

In order to prevent conduction of heat along the tubes |8| up to the receiving ends ||I la thereof, which might tend to cause premature co" agulation or slushing of the latex A at and around the receiving ends .|5Ia of the tubes, the tubes may each extend through the cold water fittings |88 directly above the hot water fittings |58, if desired, to chill the tubes at their upper ends and thereby control thevbeginning 'of the transition of the latex from its liquid state to its solid state, in order that such change can only start within the tubes ||I|, thus preventing premature c0- vagulation around the upper ends |5|a of the tubes, should it be found that a tendency toward this end occurs.

I claim:

1. The process of producing rubber elements" including filaments strips and the like', which consists in passing a liquid latex compound through .and out one end of a forming tube directly into a body of hot water surrounding said end and a substantial portion of the length of the tube adjacent thereto, and maintaining said body of water ata temperaturesumcient to eilect transition of the latex from a liquid to a solid state within 'the tube prior to emerging therefrom into the water.

2; The process of producing rubber elements including filaments strips and the like, which consists in passing a liquid latex compound through and out one end of a forming tube di-` tube into the water, and drawing said elementaway from said tube end through said body of water at a rate commensurate with the rate of transition to keep the tube end clear and to remove said residue from said element.

" 3. The process of producing rubber elements including filaments, strips and the like, which Aconsists in passing a liquid latex composition through a forming tube, heating the tube uniformly throughout a substantial partion of its length to effect transition of the latex from its liquid state into a solid state within the' tube, drawing the solidified rubber element away from the tube at a speed consistent with said transition, and completely submerging and washing the solidified rubber element as it emerges from the tube in hot water within a temperature range of from 80 C. to`90 C. surrounding the tube and functioning also to effect said uniform heating of the tube.

4. Apparatus for producing rubber elements 1ncluding filaments, sheets, strips, tubes land the like from a liquid latex compound, comprising a transitional tube for continuous passage of said latex therethrough, and means for constantly maintaining a body of hot water at a predetermined temperature around said tube throughout a substantial portion of the length of the tube to heat said portion uniformly and thereby eiect a change in said latex from its liquid to a solid form within said tube during said passage, the delivery 'end of said tube being submerged in and arranged for discharging the resulting solidlfled rubber element into said body of hot sheets, strips, tubes and the like from a liquid latex compound, comprising a transitional tube for continuous passage of said latex therethrough, means for constantly maintaining a body of hot water at a predetermined temperature around said tube throughout substantially the full length of the tube to effect a change in said latex from its liquid to a solid form within said tube during -said passage, and means intermediate the receiving end of the tube and the last said means for chilling said tube therebetween to prevent premature change in state of the liquid at the receiving end of the tube.

6. Apparatus for producing rubber elements including filaments, sheets, strips, tubes and the like from a liquid latex. compound, comprising a transitional tube for continuous passage of the compound therethrough, a 'water jacket for hot water surrounding the tube from a point adjacent the discharge end ofthe tube to a point adjacent the receiving end of the tube, a cold water jacket surrounding the tube intermediate-said hot water jacket and said receiving end of the tube, and a receptacle for hot Water at the discharge end of the tube for submerging the' delivery end of the tube and the adjacent end of the hot waterjacket in the water contained in said receptacle.

7. Apparatus for producing rubber elements inl 'adjacent the receiving end of the tube, a cold water jacket surrounding the tube intermediate said hot water jacket and said receiving'end of the tube, a receptacle for hot water at the discharge end of the tube for submerging the delivery end of the tube and the adjacent end of the' hot Water jacket in the water contained in said receptacle, means for circulating hot water through saidy hot water jacket and said receptacle to maintain uniform temperature of the water therein, and a perforated disc in the hot water jacket and surrounding said tube adjacent the discharge endof thetube to retard the ow of said hot water from said hot water jacket into said receptacle in the course of,said circulation.

THOMAS F. HASSETT. 

